SL/R230: Hello Everyone
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
2005 SL500 (R230)
Hello Everyone
I'm Roger, I love in Southern California. I've owned my 2005 SL500 for many years, and when I think I'm ready to move onto something else, I drive it with the top down and those feeling quickly depart.
I am although in need of input from anyone that's experienced intermittent instrument cluster failure.
Issue: Cluster lights up like a Christmas tree, beeps and then settles down and functions as if nothing ever happened. Some days nothing, others no gauges no matter what I do. Headlights flicker on and off.
Work performed: New batteries, alternator checked and working fine. Voltage/amps all within specifics. Fuses replaced. Still nothing resolved.
I'm told that the circuit board is going bad. Replacement cluster MUST be same year and within 6 months, preferably 4 months of vehicle manufacture date (Nov 2004). Needle in a haystack apparently will be easier to find.
Anyone with a similar experience and what was your solution? I love this car, but dealer is talking a small fortune to repair a 14 year old vehicle.
Thanks everyone. Great topics and solutions. Much appreciated.
Roger
I am although in need of input from anyone that's experienced intermittent instrument cluster failure.
Issue: Cluster lights up like a Christmas tree, beeps and then settles down and functions as if nothing ever happened. Some days nothing, others no gauges no matter what I do. Headlights flicker on and off.
Work performed: New batteries, alternator checked and working fine. Voltage/amps all within specifics. Fuses replaced. Still nothing resolved.
I'm told that the circuit board is going bad. Replacement cluster MUST be same year and within 6 months, preferably 4 months of vehicle manufacture date (Nov 2004). Needle in a haystack apparently will be easier to find.
Anyone with a similar experience and what was your solution? I love this car, but dealer is talking a small fortune to repair a 14 year old vehicle.
Thanks everyone. Great topics and solutions. Much appreciated.
Roger
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
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From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
This could be a faulty ignition switch or, in theory, it could be a poor electrical connection at the fuse supplying the "ignition on" signal to the cluster (fuse 21). If the problem is the switch, I suppose this may cause an "Event" to be logged in one or more control modules, but I have not checked if this is possible. You could check Star Diagnosis' complete list of fault and event codes.
I just replaced the cluster in a car, and I believe the cluster date of manufacture was completely immaterial. What did matter was the odometer. I don't recall the details, but provided the replacement cluster had a lower mileage there was no issue with it assuming the higher mileage of the cluster it replaced.
I just replaced the cluster in a car, and I believe the cluster date of manufacture was completely immaterial. What did matter was the odometer. I don't recall the details, but provided the replacement cluster had a lower mileage there was no issue with it assuming the higher mileage of the cluster it replaced.
Last edited by bobterry99; Aug 25, 2019 at 10:52 PM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
2005 SL500 (R230)
Bobterry99,
Thank you for the quick response. This helps. I had the fuses all checked, but it's worth revisiting again. I mentioned to my mechanic regarding the ignition switch, I think I might as well replace it, it's starting to get stuck and I'm concerned one of these days, I won't be able to extract the key from the ignition switch. Thanks again
Thank you for the quick response. This helps. I had the fuses all checked, but it's worth revisiting again. I mentioned to my mechanic regarding the ignition switch, I think I might as well replace it, it's starting to get stuck and I'm concerned one of these days, I won't be able to extract the key from the ignition switch. Thanks again
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 606
Likes: 88
From: North Cali
2005 SL500, 2015 CLS400
Sounds exactly what I've been through. It will get worse with time.
You'll find everything about my case here:
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...t-nowhere.html
It was an bad ignition switch indeed. I took my to the dealer- just a little under 1k. But problem solved.
Regards
You'll find everything about my case here:
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...t-nowhere.html
It was an bad ignition switch indeed. I took my to the dealer- just a little under 1k. But problem solved.
Regards
